NEW Status 550 Antenna / Aerial

Just noticed Status have a new antenna out, it's called the 550 and has some very handy features built in that make it a worthwhile upgrade... one being the new amplifier that has a built in signal meter that changes from Red-Amber-Green as you rotate the antenna to indicate signal strength, the other handy feature is the vertical / horizontal Red-Green indicator on the arm.

The cost seems to be around the same as the Status 530 models. Will probably contact Grade UK to see if these are a straight swap for the 530, as that would mean just pulling the existing antenna through the roof, and pushing the new one back through, then replacing the old amp with the new amplifier.

More info here http://www.gradeuk.co.uk/shop/status-550.html

CruizingComet wrote:Just noticed Status have a new antenna out, it's called the 550 and has some very handy features built in that make it a worthwhile upgrade... one being the new amplifier that has a built in signal meter that changes from Red-Amber-Green as you rotate the antenna to indicate signal strength, the other handy feature is the vertical / horizontal Red-Green indicator on the arm.

The cost seems to be around the same as the Status 530 models. Will probably contact Grade UK to see if these are a straight swap for the 530, as that would mean just pulling the existing antenna through the roof, and pushing the new one back through, then replacing the old amp with the new amplifier.

More info here http://www.gradeuk.co.uk/shop/status-550.html

Hi CC did you upgrade your aerial yourself or did A/S do it? I have the standard fixed antenna which works well unless you are in a poor reception area and I wondered if it can be fitted using the existing hole or does it have to be mounted in a different position on the roof. If possible could you post a photo of it on the roof and from inside?

Hi Moggy..... I never upgraded the status aerial as I figured it wasn't worth the bother. To be honest I've been pretty happy with the status we have fitted and there hasn't been many places where we've been unable to pick up a fair signal... Even on the drive at home I can get a good signal from tacolneston which is 40+ miles away We also had TV in most locations in France recently and mainly watched the M6 channel as in the evenings this seemed to mostly air English speaking programs.

Seriously thinking about getting a roof mounted satellite dish fitted in the future...

CC

Morning. Why not just get the new version of the pre-amp with the indicators? I bet the antenna itself is no different. Just a thought.
http://www.visionplus.co.uk/shop/digital-tv-radio-amplifier-vp5-with-signal-finder.html

bertb wrote:Morning. Why not just get the new version of the pre-amp with the indicators? I bet the antenna itself is no different. Just a thought.
http://www.visionplus.co.uk/shop/digital-tv-radio-amplifier-vp5-with-signal-finder.html

I thought the same... when I contacted Grade UK though they told me they were not compatible alone and that you had to use the antenna as well, makes sense as they do have different boosters blue and red which are incompatible with each other.

Ha Ha. As a certain MR-Davis may have said, "They would say that wouldn't they?"
I use a separate signal strength indicator, that has some coloured LED's, a few pounds
online. Just don't fall for the "special digital antenna/cable/plug/snake oil. Well maybe
digital snake oil will work.

We use the signal finder pictured and it's pretty reliable.
As for the boosters you could be right bert... just saying what I've read on other sites / forums and what they told me

Yes that's the one I use. I had to replace the pre-amp and found that there are 2 models, the colour matches the aerial colour. I think any pre-amp should work provided it covers the same frequency range. And I presume the 'matching' is because the antennas have different gain figures. Anything made especially for the outdoor leisure industry carries a premium. A domestic aerial costs about £20 but that's not easy to fit on a caravan roof!

CruizingComet wrote:Just noticed Status have a new antenna out, it's called the 550 and has some very handy features built in that make it a worthwhile upgrade... one being the new amplifier that has a built in signal meter that changes from Red-Amber-Green as you rotate the antenna to indicate signal strength, the other handy feature is the vertical / horizontal Red-Green indicator on the arm.

The cost seems to be around the same as the Status 530 models. Will probably contact Grade UK to see if these are a straight swap for the 530, as that would mean just pulling the existing antenna through the roof, and pushing the new one back through, then replacing the old amp with the new amplifier.

More info here http://www.gradeuk.co.uk/shop/status-550.html

 During a recent habitation check, it was found the sealant around the aerial is on the way out and needs re-doing. I have been  for some time about replacing the original aerial on my Nuevo and getting either the 530 or 550. When I asked at South West Motorhomes, they said this would probably require new holes drilling and they would also have to make a hole in the wardrobe shelf to accomodate the new aerial. Apparently the 550 also has a longer pole and there may not be enough room for this in the wardrobe, due to where the fuse box is sited.  Question is, was your motorhome already fitted with the 530? was it fitted in the original 'aerial hole'?. The fitter seems to think if they placed the new aerial in the original fixing, it would catch on the 'lip' on outer edge of the roof. I dont really want new holes drilled in the roof if I can help it. They said about replacing the old aerial with a 350 (I think that was the one they mentioned, but I could be wrong) but looking at reviews, it appears this is really no better than the original? So now Im totally   and  
regards
Moira

bought the 550 drilled hole in roof took off old spaceship fitted new kit
nothing but praise get to site turn on finder turn aerial until finder is green
turn on tv retune thats it tv picture all channels even in the lake district
 no more shouting at the wife as she has not put the arial in the correct direction
can then lie on the bench seat with lager
best money i have spent in a while